Heavily armed gunmen launched a brazen nighttime assault on the palace of the Sangarin Dari, Mr. Emmanuel Omanji, in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Wednesday, abducting the traditional ruler and whisking him away to an unknown location.
According to reports obtained by Hobnob News Nigeria, the attackers stormed the palace under the cover of darkness, firing sporadic gunshots to instill fear and dissuade resistance before forcefully taking the monarch.
The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the abduction. In a statement released Thursday morning, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has swiftly mobilized a multi-agency team to track the kidnappers.
“The Commissioner has deployed operatives from the anti-kidnapping unit, alongside military personnel and local vigilantes, to launch an intensive manhunt for the suspects and secure the safe release of the traditional ruler,” Nansel stated.
Authorities are urging residents to remain calm and vigilant while calling on anyone with credible information that could aid the rescue operation to come forward and cooperate fully with law enforcement.
As of the time of this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, and the whereabouts of the monarch remain unknown. The incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Nasarawa State and the wider North-Central region.
